What Is Biochemistry
Biochemistry or biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. A sub-discipline of both chemistry and biology, biochemistry may be divided into three fields: structural biology, enzymology and metabolism
Entry Requirements To Study Biochemistry In South Africa
Career Opportunities
Biochemistry offers many opportunities for exciting and challenging careers in the food and pharmaceutical, fine chemicals and waste processing industries. Careers at research councils, such as the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Water Research Commission (WRC) are possibilities, as are academic institutions, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and forensic and pathology laboratories.
Career opportunities include those of researcher, teacher, lecturer and medical representative. Graduates are comfortable in work environments such as universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and related industries.
Programme Code
02133398
Closing Dates
- SA – 24/06/2020
- Non-SA – 24/06/2020
Admission Requirements
The closing date is an administrative admission guideline for non-selection programmes. Once a non-selection programme is full and has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
The following persons will be considered for admission: candidates who are in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate with university endorsement, candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution, and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
Life Orientation is excluded from the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
Grade 11 results are used for the conditional admission of prospective students. Final admission is based on Grade 12 results.
Please note that the Faculty does not accept GED and School of Tomorrow qualifications for entry into our programmes.
Transferring students
Candidates previously registered at UP or at another university
The faculty’s Admissions Committee considers applications of candidates who have already completed the final NSC or equivalent qualification examination and/or were previously registered at UP or another university, on grounds of their final NSC or equivalent qualification results as well as academic merit.
Candidates previously registered at a FET college or a university of technology
The faculty’s Admissions Committee considers the application of these candidates on the grounds of their final NSC or equivalent qualification results as well as academic merit.
Qualifications from countries other than South Africa
Citizens from countries other than South Africa and South African citizens with foreign qualifications must comply with all the other admission requirements and the prerequisites for subjects/modules.
In addition to meeting the admission requirements, admission is based on the performance in the TOEFL, IELTS or SAT, if required.
Candidates must have completed the National Senior Certificate with admission to degree studies or a certificate of conditional exemption on the basis of a candidate’s foreign qualifications, the so-called “Immigrant” or “Foreign Conditional Exemption”. The only condition for the “Foreign Conditional Exemption” that is accepted is: ‘completion of the degree course’. The exemption certificate is obtainable from Universities South Africa (USAf). Detailed information is available on the website at click here.
University of Pretoria website: click here
| Minimum requirements | ||||||
| Achievement level | ||||||
| English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS | |||
| NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS Level | |
| 5 | C | 5 | C | 5 | C | 32 |
* Cambridge A level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. Students in the Cambridge system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with performance at the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.
* International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. Students in the IB system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with performance at the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.
Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Biochemistry), may be considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme — Biological and Agricultural Sciences. The BSc – Extended programme takes a year longer than the normal programme to complete
| BSc – Extended Programme – Biological and Agricultural Sciences Minimum requirements | ||||||
| Achievement level | ||||||
| English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS | |||
| NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS Level | |
| 4 | D | 4 | D | 4 | D | 26 |
Duration of study
3 years, full-time.
Faculty Notes
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is a diverse faculty with 13 departments that is supported by more than 20 centres and institutes. More than 5 000 students register in this faculty annually of which 70% are undergraduate and 30% postgraduate students.
All degree programmes are designed to develop problem-solving individuals who can easily adapt to changing circumstances and take the lead in their chosen fields of specialisation. The qualifications awarded are of world-class and provide access to a multitude of career opportunities for dynamic and creative people.
In the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, we strive to continuously improve our high impact research and significantly address the national shortage of PhD graduates that respond to global and local challenges.
Enquiries about the programme
Schools Offering Biochemistry In South Africa
Here are the best global universities for biology and biochemistry in South Africa
Stellenbosch University.
University of Cape Town.
University of Pretoria.
University of Witwatersrand.
University of KwaZulu Natal.
What subjects are required to study biochemistry In South Africa?
Biology is a prerequisite for almost all biochemistry degrees. It will provide you with a sound knowledge of biochemical interactions as well as an introduction to genetics, cell biology and enzymology, all key Biochemistry topics. Chemistry is another essential prerequisite to study biochemistry at most institutions.
What qualifications do you need for biochemistry In South Africa?
You’ll usually need a science degree. For jobs in industry or research, you may also need a postgraduate qualification like a master’s degree or PhD. Relevant degree subjects include: biochemistry.
Where in South Africa can I study biochemistry In South Africa?
Best Global Universities for Biology and Biochemistry in South…
Stellenbosch University.
University of Cape Town.
University of Witwatersrand.
University of KwaZulu Natal.
Can I study biochemistry without maths In South Africa?
The basic eligibility criteria for studying BSc Biochemistry is that a candidate must have finished their 10+2 from a recognised board in the science stream. … The required subjects are physics, chemistry and biology.
Does biochemistry require a lot of math In South Africa?
Biochem and organic chemistry won’t really be using math, except maybe basic calculus to describe reaction rates. You would need math more for the purer chemistry courses you might have to take. You should probably know single and multivariable calculus.
How many years does it take to study Biochemistry In South Africa?
Years of study
The minimum number of years for the study of biochemistry in the university is just four years. This is far more comparable to other courses like Engineering, Architecture, & Pharmacy, which takes five years to complete, and courses like Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, which takes about 6 to 7 years.
Is maths required for BSc biochemistry In South Africa?
One of the most important steps to crack the exam is to study dedicatedly as per the latest exam pattern and syllabus. The students giving the entrance exams for this course need to prepare for four subjects i.e, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.
Can you study biochemistry without physics In South Africa?
Biochemistry For you to be admitted into this science course without physics. You are required to have obtained a five credit pass in mathematics, English, Agricultural Science, Chemistry and Biology.
What level of math is needed for biochemistry In South Africa?
Mathematics: 2 Semesters of Calculus or Honors Math. If you have AP credit and complete one term of advanced Calculus at Columbia (Calculus II or higher), this requirement is fulfilled.